The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-12

devout Worshlppers, II Is low esti-
mate 10 say that at least 500, 900 GAL
Ions OF strong wine was offered to
the God of heaven annually In &C
oordance with the law He himself
ordained as an indication of His own
estimate Of the value Of wine, which
He claims is His gift unto men.
Having thus ascertained the au-
thor, nature, use aud value of wine,
as taught in the Old Testament, the
preacher student now turns to the
examination Of the subject as taught
in the New. Still remembering his
vow to teach according TO the Script
ures, and the admonition to learn
of the Master" and make Him his
constant pattern" he makes an earn
est effort to ascertain what the Ian
guage and example of Jesus teach
concerning the use OF wine.
From Matthew 9:17, 1l:19, Mark
2.22, Luke 5;37 80, 7:31 -3j and 1888
"a, he learns that Jesus spoke freely
and favorably of wine as q thing good
in itself and proper to be used; that
He Endorsed the opinion that old
wine was better than new, and boldly
stated that He Himself was in the
habit Of its constant use as bever-
age. From John Gill he ascertains
that Jesus fOrcibly encouraged the
free use Of wine as a beverage by
others, by the miraculous exer-
else of His divine power in
the manufacture of q large quantity
of it for distribution among the
guests at the marriage feast, thus
showing the generosity Of His nature
by treating His associates on the
festive occasion to at least ninety
gallons OF good wine. He further
learns from this passage, that Jesus,
by this miraculous treat of ninety
gallons of wine, inaugurated His
ministry of redemption, displayed
His glory and convinced His disci-
pies of the divine character Of His
person and mission.
From other passages of the Cos
pels he finds that while Jesus was
very bold and plain in rebuking sin
and vice in their manifold forms aud
phases, and that Notwithstanding the
fact that He often attended feasts
where wine was as freely served as
was bread, while He never encour-
aged drunkenness, but denounced it.,
yet He never uttered q single sylla-
bic 10 condemnation of its free use
as a beverage-never said or init
mated to His host that it was in any
respect wrong to furnish his guests
with wine. In fact he finds all the
teachings and examples of Jesus on
the side of free but proper use of
wine as a beverage.
So, likewise, he finds all the teach
ings of the New Testament upon the
subject; as much so as he finds them
favorable to proper use of flesh or
bread.
After thus searching the word"
and considering the example of the
Master" he need be at no loss as to
what the TEACHINGS of the one and
the example of the other authorize
in reference to the manufacture, dis
tribution and use of wines, nor as to
what his ordination vows require
him to teach in regard to these
things. He must be more than
blind, and worse than dull of under
standing, if he does not perceive that
the teachings of the Billie and the
example of Jesus sanction and
authorize the manufacture, distribu-
ton and free use of wines, both for
sacred and secular purposes; and
that if he is to teach the truth ac-
cording to the Holy Scriptures" he
must also teach that it is right and
proper to make, distribute and use
wines, both for religious and secular
purposes, always of course, according
to the teachings Of the Word, guard
ing against and opposing the Excess
sive use of these as well as other God
given blessings.
Thus instructed by the word of
God and the example of Jesus, let
the ordai ned minister of the Word
pass from our view with the obliga-
tons of his ordination vows resting
upon him, until occasion shall call
him forth as public teacher on the
subject of wines, their manufacture,
distribution and use.